Current Uses

If you already have cardiovascular disease, your doctor may recommend statins to reduce your risk of having a heart attack or stroke. Statin therapy may also be prescribed if you fall within a specific risk range for developing cardiovascular disease within 10-years. The risk can be assessed based on your cholesterol numbers and other risk factors. It can be done during a regular physical exam.

Mechanism for How It Works

HMG-CoA reductase is an enzyme that helps your body make cholesterol. Statins help to block this enzyme, which in turn causes your body to make less cholesterol. When you make less cholesterol, your liver makes more LDL receptors, which attract LDL particles in the blood. This reduces the amount of LDL ("bad") cholesterol in your bloodstream. Lower LDL cholesterol levels also tend to lead to lower levels of triglycerides and higher HDL (“good”) cholesterol levels in the blood. Statins have anti-inflammatory effects on blood vessels which help reduce the formation of fatty plaque on blood vessel walls.

Side Effects

Statins can interact with many medications. Below are some examples. But, you should talk to your doctor and pharmacist about the specific medications that you are taking.

Stender S, Schuster H, et al. Comparison of rosuvastatin with atorvastatin, simvastatin, and pravastatin in achieving cholesterol goals and improving plasma lipids in hypercholesterolaemic patients with or without the metabolic syndrome in the MERCURY I trial.
Diabetes Obes Metab.
2005;7:430-438.

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.